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Published: December 20th 2006
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Apologies for the quick succession of entries in my blog of late but trying to keep myself, if no one else, up to speed with all that I have done and seen before the festivities take over!
After leaving Airlie Beach and a matching pair of flip flops behind, I jumped on the greyhound heading north to Townsville, where I caught the ferry over to Magnetic Island! Here, I planned to chill out, relax and let my body recover from the excesses of the previous few days. I succeeded in chilling out, spending most of my time by the pool (or rather in the pool to escape from the intense heat) looking out over the ocean, reading and catching up with people I'd met in various places up and down the East Coast and also getting to know some new faces. 'Catching up' and 'Getting to know one another,' however, generally involves a beverage or two and Magnetic Island was no exception. My evenings were, therefore, spent in the hostel bar enjoying a 'quiet' few with Charlotte, Chris, Craig, Sam, Kate, Ali, Dave, Duncan, Simone and others! At least I managed to chill out and relax...but I'm not too sure
about letting my body recover!
I did venture out of the resort one day and took myself off bushwalking! I headed to Horseshoe Bay and from there I walked over to Balding, Radical, Florence and Arthur Bays before collapsing in a heap at the bus stop ready for the bus to take me back to poolside! Unfortunately I didn't see much wildlife - only a couple with their clothing down around their ankles misbehaving on a picnic bench! Think I may have been more embarrassed than them but they did move swiftly on so I could sit down and eat my sandwich! How considerate!
After leaving Magnetic Island, I spent the afternoon in Townsville having missed my bus north to Cairns. Nothing much to report from there...it wasn't even worthy of a photograph!
I eventually made it to Cairns and at last managed an early night. Again, I don't have much to report from Cairns - only the nightlife is worthy of a mention. Yes, I enjoyed my first night out at the legendary Woolshed but with an early start the next day I behaved.
I then headed up to far north tropical Queensland to Cape
Base Backpackers, Magnetic Island
Resort I stayed in on Magentic Island - didnt venture much further than here! Tribulation to spend 2 nights in the Daintree Rainforest and surrounding area. Cape Tribulation is the only place on the planet where two world heritage sites stand side by side - the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef! The scenery was breathtaking and perhaps the most stunning I have seen whilst travelling up the east coast. I enjoyed a cruise along the Daintree River (no crocodiles in sight unfortunately) and walks through the rainforest, one during the day and one at night! To be stood in the middle of the rainforest in the pitch black knowing a venemous brown tree snake is hovering over head was an experience I will never forget! Those of you who know how 'fond' I am of snakes (note the sarcasm), will be impressed to see how close I got to get the all important photograph!
After returning from my night walk, it was back to my little rainforest hut for a very restless night's sleep - ok, so yes, I did check under my bed before I got into it!
The next day saw me out on the Great Barrier Reef on board Rumrunner. I enjoyed a full days snorkelling on
the Mackay Reef - reef sharks, turtles, fish of all shapes and sizes - another sight to behold! There truly is a whole different world down there and it was great to be part of it for a short time!
My last day up in Cape Tribulation saw me swinging through the rainforest canopy during a morning's jungle surfing .... the photos say it all! On our return to Cairns, we stopped off at Mossman Gorge, Port Douglas and Alexandra Lookout with views out to Long Isle, where Steve Irwin fell to his death.
That brings me back to Cairns where last night those of us who had been up in Cape Tribulation were joined by others we all knew for a Christmas Night Out at the Woolshed! It's the closest I have come to feeling festive ... but singing along to Wham's 'Last Christmas' whilst in your shorts and t-shirt, under the stars of tropical north Queensland, doesn't really get you feeling overly festive. We tried though!
And that brings me to today, which I have spent getting ready for the next leg of my trip! I fly to Perth tomorrow where I will celebrate Christmas
and New Year.
All that is left for me to do now is to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and I hope all your dreams come true in the New Year. I will miss you all but look forward to seeing you all in 2007!
Time flies when your having fun....
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Vicky
non-member comment
Full of surprises
You keep overwhelming me with the amount of courage you are showing being away. Sky diving, bungee jumping and now taking pics of snakes!!!! Whats next???? Pictures are truly amazing. Brought a few tears to my eyes. Great speaking to u this morning. Miss u and love u loads